Match Preview

Montreal Impact welcome Toronto FC to Olympic Stadium on Tuesday evening in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Final, with a Canadian side guaranteed to make the MLS Cup Final for the first time ever.

This is a huge game for both of these rivals. Montreal have to make the most of home advantage and ensure they go into the second leg in a strong position, which will be easier said than done.

The Impact overcame the Red Bulls 3-1 on aggregate in the Conference Semifinal, a result that will have filled Mauro Biello’s squad with confidence.

This is the first time Montreal have reached the Eastern Conference Championship game so there is the added incentive to make even more history and reach the MLS Cup Final now.

Toronto FC are also creating history. Before this year they had never won a playoff game. Greg Vanney’s side advanced to the Eastern Conference Championship they after completely destroyed NYCFC 7-0 on aggregate, a result that will never be forgotten.

While the squad will still be flying high off the back of that result, their attention must turn to making sure they go into the second leg after a positive performance away at Montreal on Tuesday.

Toronto fans will be praying their side avenges their elimination from the 2015 playoffs last season by Montreal and they are favourites to advance over the two legs.

If recent history is anything to go by for Toronto they stand a good chance of a favourable result here, as they are unbeaten in their last three visits to Stade Saputo in all competitions, drawing twice and winning one.

Team News

Andres Romero remains out for Montreal Impact, while both Didier Drogba and Matteo Mancosu are both doubts to start. Drogba, though, is back in the picture after a month out.

Vanney has the pleasure of picking his side from a near fully fit squad as Steven Beitashour is his only injury concern ahead of the first leg.

Key Points

Montreal Impact’s form: D/L/W/W/W

Toronto FC’s form: D/W/W/W/W

Key Stat: Toronto FC have scored at least two goals in their last five MLS away games.

Key Player: Ignacio Piatti – The Montreal playmaker will be expected to provide and help his side take a lead into the second leg. This is going to be an extremely tough tie to win over both legs for Montreal, so they have to be in a strong position come the end of the first 90 minutes and Piatti will look to provide some magic once again.

Score Prediction

Montreal Impact 1-1 Toronto FC – This is going to be a tight affair, neither side is going to want to give the other an advantage heading into the second leg, but a draw is a more favourable result for Toronto than Montreal, who will be desperate to win this one.

Match Preview

This is a huge tie for Montreal, who desperately need to put an end to the Red Bulls’ incredible run of form to give them any chance of reaching the Eastern Conference final.

Mauro Biello will be feeling ecstatic at how his Montreal side demolished DC 4-2 in the Knockout Round on Thursday evening, but he will be slightly frustrated at the way they conceded two very late goals.

The only meeting between these two in Montreal during the regular season ended with a 3-0 win for the Impact. They would definitely take a repeat of that scoreline, but this is going to be a very cagey contest, with both sides looking to ensure there’s still all to play for in the return leg in a week’s time.

Eastern Conference winners, New York Red Bulls eased past Philadelphia on the final day of the regular season to earn a bye through the Knockout Round. They have had extra time to prepare for this game and should be firing on all cylinders.

Jesse Marsch will have his side pumped and ready to take on Montreal and will be urging them to remember form means nothing when it comes to games as important as this.

The Red Bulls have beaten Impact in their last two meetings, although both of those games were at Red Bull Arena, so they will be expecting a hostile atmosphere here.

If New York keep a clean sheet in this tie you have to fancy them to progress in the second-leg. Montreal know they have to take a lead to Red Bull Arena, so the visitors may well have a slightly more cautious approach this weekend, although an away goal would certainly be a boost.

Montreal were eliminated from the playoffs last season at this very stage, despite winning their home tie in the first-leg, so they can take nothing for granted against a very strong opponent on Sunday evening.

Team News

Andres Romero remains Montreal Impact’s only injury concern. It remains to be seen whether Didier Drogba will return to the side following his soap opera saga in the last few weeks. He sat out of Thursday’s win over DC, with Matteo Mancosu shining up front in the Ivorian’s absence.

New York Red Bulls are expecting to be without four for this tie as Gideon Baah, Connor Lade, Justin Bilyeu and Daniel Royer are all out. Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips will be looking to continue his fine form here.

Key Points

Montreal Impact’s form: W/W/D/L/W

New York Red Bulls’ form: D/W/W/W/W

Key Stat: The Red Bulls are unbeaten in their last 16 MLS outings.

Key Player: Ignacio Piatti – The obvious choice. Montreal Impact need their midfield maestro to be on top form to take a lead into the second leg. He can change a game in a flash and will need to be at his creative best once again here.

Score Prediction

Montreal Impact 1-1 New York Red Bulls – This has the makings of a tight game, as most first legs do. Montreal are going to find the confident Red Bulls difficult to deal with and a draw would be an unsurprising result, but would certainly suit the visitors better.

Match Preview

Montreal Impact welcome rivals Toronto to Stade Saputo on Sunday in the penultimate weekend of fixtures. This is a tie that can have a huge an impact on the final MLS regular season standings.

Mauro Biello’s side are sitting 4th in the Eastern Conference on 44 points, five behind Toronto, depending on results going their way, Montreal can still finish the season in third place.

Montreal come into this one having won their last two games. The latest of the two, a 1-0 away win over Orlando.

The Impact have had a strong season and will be looking to take some form into the playoffs, but they have to ensure they get there first. Biello’s side are above the red line by five points. Their fate is in their own hands.

Toronto are still in the running to finish top of the East. Though they cannot win the Supporters’ Shield, topping their conference would cap off an impressive regular season.

Grey Vanney’s side are just two points behind both New York franchises, so the remaining two fixtures for all three sides are extremely important.

Toronto have been in great form on the road, winning their last three. They do however, come into this one without a win in four, all home games. This will have frustrated their fans no end, as they could have been in the running to win the Supporters’ Shield had they won those games.

Their latest outing was a surprising defeat to DC, a result they will be looking to forget and patch things over with in this tie. Toronto know they’re in for a tough game with so much at stake.

Team News

Andres Romero remains the only injury concern for Montreal Impact.

Toronto could well be welcoming back Sebastian Giovinco in this tie but Vanney offered no guarantees, so the injury list remains just two players as Ashtone Morgan is expected to be out, while Gio is questionable.

Key Points

Montreal Impact’s last five: D/L/L/W/W

Toronto’s last five: W/D/D/D/L

Key Stat: Away form – Toronto have won their last three games on the road.

Key Player: Ignacio Piatti – The Argentine has netted an impressive 15 goals this season as well as registering four assists. Piatti has struck fear into opposition defenders since the start of the campaign and that will be no different this weekend.

Score Prediction

Montreal Impact 2-2 Toronto – A draw would not be a surprising result given the magnitude of this tie. Neither side will be coming into it expecting to lose and the intensity of the game could certainly spice things up.

Match Preview

Montreal are fourth in the East. They trail NYCFC by six points ahead of this tie but they do have two games in hand on their opponents.

Mauro Biello’s side come into this one off the back of their 1-1 draw with Portland. They have become the draw specialists in recent weeks with eight of their last 11 games ending with a share of the points.

Impact are unbeaten in five but they have won just one of those ties. They have scored at least twice in 13 of their last 15 at home but have also conceded at last two in five of those last six games. If that is anything to go by we could be in for a high-scoring match here.

New York City’s four-game winning run came to an end last time out as they lost 3-1 to SKC. A disappointing result for Patrick Vieira’s side but they are still the team to be feared in the East.

NYCFC have plenty of players in top form ahead of this tie, they will be looking for their key players to perform and ensure they bounce back straight away from their defeat.

While New York City fans have every right to brag about being top of the East there is plenty of work to do to ensure they make the playoffs for the first time in their history.

The earlier meeting in the season between these two ended in a 1-1 draw, with Montreal stealing a share of the points in dramatic fashion late on in the tie. Vieira will have his players all too aware of the threat Montreal pose and will not expect them to throw away three points if they get into a winning position again.

Team News

Montreal could be without four players through injury as Andres Romero and Marco Donadel are expected to be out, while Didier Drogba and Laurent Ciman are both doubts.

New York City FC have just the two injury concerns as Connor Brandt and Steven Mendoza are out.

Key Points

Montreal Impact’s form: D/D/W/D/D

New York City FC’s form: W/W/W/W/L

Key Stat: Montreal are unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 home games in Major League Soccer.

Key Player: Frank Lampard – The midfield goal machine is finally living up to his reputation. The NYCFC man has netted four in his last five. He can be key to his side taking all three points in this tie.

Score Prediction

Montreal Impact 2-2 New York City FC – If recent form and results are anything to go by we should be in for an action packed draw here. Both of these sides have been scoring freely and Montreal’s home form suggests it is going to be very difficult for New York City FC to take all three points.

Match Preview

It’s 5th versus 5th this weekend as Montreal Impact welcome LA Galaxy to Stade Saputo in a tie which has the makings of one to watch as East meets West in Canada.

Montreal had seemingly become the draw specialists up until last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Orlando. That result ended a four-game unbeaten streak of draws for the Impact.

Impact trail top spot in the Eastern Conference by three points and know how difficult this tie could be. They will have to be prepared for LA to frustrate them throughout the game but will be out to seal all three points.

LA Galaxy’s unbeaten run continues after their 1-1 draw with San Jose last time out. That was their second draw on the bounce but will have left them frustrated after creating numerous chances.

Galaxy are sitting seven points off top spot in the Western Conference, but do have two games in hand. They need to focus on turning some of their draws into wins to give themselves the best chance of challenging for the Supporters’ Shield title.

Bruce Arena’s side have the least amount of losses in MLS so far this season, with only one defeat, they are looking strong but will be tested in this tie.

Team News

Montreal Impact could be without as many as five players for this one. Andres Romero, Cameron Porter and Donny Toia are all expected to miss out. Didier Drogba and Victor Cabrera are both doubts.

LA Galaxy have no injury concerns heading into this one. Jelle Van Damme is one caution away from suspension.

Key Points

Montreal Impact’s form: D/D/D/D/L

LA Galaxy’s form: W/D/W/D/D

Key Stat: LA Galaxy extended their unbeaten run to nine games with their draw last weekend.

Key Player: Ignacio Piatti – The Montreal playmaker has the qualities to end Galaxy’s unbeaten run here if he is on form. He has netted seven goals so far this season and is a player that can unlock any defence in a flash.

Score Prediction

Montreal Impact 2-2 LA Galaxy – Galaxy to extend their unbeaten run with their third draw on the bounce. These two will be hard to separate throughout the tie as Montreal will be eager to improve on their loss last time out and Galaxy are proving very tough to beat.

Match Preview

Montreal Impact entertain D.C United this weekend with both sides in playoff places as the end of the regular season closes in.

Impact come into this one off the back of their 2-1 midweek victory over Chicago Fire as Didier Drogba netted once again.

The home side are sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference, four points ahead of Orlando City with two games in hand. Mauro Biello will feel his side should make the playoffs now but knows there is no room for careless mistakes.

This is the third and final regular season meeting between the sides and Montreal are yet to win against their opponents.

DC United have dropped off the pace in the Eastern Conference and have now failed to win any of their last five matches, they need a big performance in this one.

Despite their poor run of form they still sit fourth with an outside chance of finishing top of the Eastern, but that would be dependent on results going their way.

They come into this one off the back of their 2-1 home defeat to the Columbus Crew and are a side lacking confidence.

DC will take confidence from the fact they have won the two previous meetings in the season between the sides, both 1-0, and know they are capable of beating Montreal. This however, will not be an easy task.

Team News

Montreal Impact are expected to still be without Cameron Porter, Kenny Cooper, Patrice Bernier and Justin Mapp. Laurent Ciman is suspended, while Nigel Reo-Coker, Andres Romero and Marco Donadel are all one booking away from suspension.

DC United have three injury concerns. Eddie Johnson and Chris Korb are expected to miss out while Davy Arnaud is a doubt. Perry Kitchen is suspended, while Conor Doyle, Steve Birnbaum and Taylor Kemp are all one booking away from suspension.

Key Points

Montreal Impact’s last five: W/D/D/W/W

DC United’s last five: L/L/L/D/L

Key Stat: DC United have failed to win any of their last five regular season games, losing four of them.

Key Player: Didier Drogba – The powerhouse has five goals in five appearances for Impact, leaving us wondering how much better their season could have been if they had the goal-machine from the start of the season.